Missouri River Travel Information
The Missouri River, the nation’s longest river, flows 553 miles
through Missouri and meets the Mississippi River in St. Louis. The
river played an important role in Native American culture, the Lewis
and Clark expedition and westward expansion. The river hosts some of
the oldest settlements in the state and many historic sites. Today the
river provides water sport, fishing and outdoor recreation venues.
High bluffs, farmland, wineries and heritage filled towns frame the
river and provide scenery for drives and day trip destinations.
Nicknamed Big Muddy, the Missouri is a silt-filled river
popular for fishing and water sports. A variety of catfish are caught
on the river, as well as crappie, bluegill, bass, carp, drum and
walleye. Conservation areas along the river provide public use boat
ramps for recreational boating, sailing, waterskiing, canoeing and
kayaking. Private concessionaires offer boat rentals, docks, marinas,
camping, restaurants, and live music on the river. The Missouri
River goes through the state’s two largest cities, Kansas City and St.
Louis and the state capital, Jefferson City. An exploration of the
smaller towns and cities along the Missouri River, by bike, foot, auto
or train, offers a glimpse into past and present day river life. Many
of these towns have historic buildings and antique and craft
shopping. The Katy Trail State Park is a long-distance biking
and hiking trial that covers 225 miles from Clinton to St. Charles.
Built on former railroad tracks, the trail starts southwest of the
Missouri River. At Boonville, where Isle Capri provides riverboat
gaming action, the trail crosses the river and from there to St.
Charles follows the river through a variety of landscapes. Some of the
best views are along the river bluffs during spring and fall. Bald
eagles are often spotted in the wintertime. Trailheads provide parking
and the towns along the way offer bike rentals, restaurants, antique
shops, bed and breakfast and other amenities. The trail from Boonville
to St. Charles has been designated as a section of the Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail. The Missouri section of the Lewis and
Clark National Historic Trail can also be undertaken by auto. The
Lewis and Clark trail follows the Missouri River across the state with
stops at historic sites like Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in
St. Louis and the Lewis and Clark Center in St. Charles. St. Charles
also hosts the Lewis and Clark Rendezvous each May in its historic
downtown area. Highways 94 and 100 provide scenic routes to
explore Missouri’s wine country east of Jefferson City. River towns,
Augusta, Defiance, Dutzow, Hermann, Washington, Marthasville and
others, have German backgrounds. Festivals, like Hermann’s Maifest, in
May, and Octoberfest, weekends in October, celebrate wine and German
culture. The winery area is popular in fall when changing leaves and
the river valley make hilly, winding roads especially scenic. Amtrak
train service through the area is available out of St. Louis and
Jefferson City. The Missouri River flows along the northwest
border of Missouri through St. Joseph. At Kansas City, the river turns
east and flows through Jefferson City and on to St. Louis. It is
accessible via many state highways as well as Interstate 29 in
northwest Missouri, and Interstate 70 across the middle section of the
state. There are many lodging options along the river in the bigger
cities: Saint Joseph, Kansas City, Jefferson City and St. Louis.
Smaller towns along the river also offer hotels, campgrounds and bed
and breakfasts.
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